They are part of our daily lives and yet: we know very little about them. Dairy products, these famous “friends for life” – as advocated in advertising spots in the 80s – are the lot of many preconceived notions. So, how do you navigate all these preconceived ideas? Alexandra Murcier, dietitian-nutritionist, helps us see things more clearly.
Milk, yogurt, cheese, crème fraîche… The numerous information disseminated on dairy products sows doubt about their benefits. Should we ban them or select them better? Up to what age can you consume it? Answers.
Dairy products are all good for your health
Faux. “Not all dairy products are equal in terms of nutritional value. Some are very sweet, like fruit yogurts. They are more desserts than dairy products” she explains. “Then, you must not overdo it and vary the dairy products: you do not eat three more cheeses, rich in fatty acids and salt, but you vary the intake: milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc.“.
The dietician-nutritionist also recalls in this respect that a “dairy product interesting for health, it is the one which will provide calcium, proteins, but no sugar.”
Camembert is a cheese rich in calcium
Faux. “Camembert is not at all the richest, with its 400 mg of calcium per 100 grams. Gruyère, for example, is two and a half times richer in calcium. This is not negligible… Emmental too is much more interesting“, reveals the nutritionist.
You can give milk at any age
Yes and no. “As we grow up, we lose lactase, this famous enzyme which allows us to digest milk and which we have as a child. Once an adult, we are therefore more subject to bloating, diarrhea and other inconveniences,” explains Alexandra Murcier.
Low-fat dairy products are preferred
Faux. “They are often higher in fat. So you have to learn to read labels. For example, low-fat crème fraîche and fromage blanc are interesting, but not yogurt, which is in this case richer in sugars, such as starch.“.
People who are lactose intolerant should not consume dairy products
Faux. “There is lactose-free milk. Cheese too, which contains only traces of lactose, is generally well tolerated. On the other hand, crème fraîche for example is less digestible“, warns Alexandra Murcier.
You should consume at least 3 dairy products per day
Faux. “In my opinion, this is a little too much. Two daily dairy products are more than enough. Without forgetting alternatives rich in calcium: vegetables (like spinach), oilseeds, mineral water rich in calcium, etc.“, concludes the expert.
